Some 100 flying squad officers on
Thursday arrested 11 alleged members of the Sicilian mafia in
the Noce district of Palermo, a longtime strategic hub for Cosa
Nostra's economic interests.
Those arrested are under investigation variously for mafia
association, aggravated extortion, fraudulent transfer of goods
and assets, and other mafia crimes, police said.
Nine men were detained in jail and two were placed under
house arrest.
Among those arrested was Salvatore Alfano, 64, believed to be
the new boss of the Noce 'mandamento'.
He is believed to have been anointed boss by Settimo Mineo, a
boss who tried to rebuild the new Cupola after the death of boss
of bosses Totò Riina three years ago, with a kiss on the lips in
the main square of the district.
Before his arrest in 1993, Riina said the Noce district was
"in my heart".
The reconstruction of the cupola was blocked by a major raid
in the December of two years ago.
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